Self-control linked with restricted emotional extremes

• Diverse emotional cues direct behaviors that support goal-pursuit.
• Trait self-control is associated with fewer emotional fluctuations and less intensity.
• Unwarranted self-regulation may reduce emotional extremes.
• Although typically desirable, greater self-control may not always be beneficial.

Inhibiting inappropriate expressions of emotion is one function of self-control. Although such regulation may facilitate interpersonal interactions, individuals may inappropriately extend this emotional inhibition to other situations where emotional regulation is not needed. The current research examined the effects of individual differences in self-control on emotional fluctuations and emotional intensity. In particular, the current research examined whether individuals with more self-control may have constricted emotional experience across two studies. Results confirmed that individuals high in self-control showed fewer emotional fluctuations and less intensity. This suggests that emotional experience may be limited for those high in self-control. It is possible that having high levels of trait self-control, may in some cases come at the cost of an emotional life less rich in experience.